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The key to a healthy complexion? Taking care of the all-important skin barrier

I don’t want to sound too bossy but it’s time to talk about the skin barrier. It’s an important subject – and in the skincare world right now it’s also a topical one (excuse the pun), for there’s a renewed focus on products that help support our skin barrier health.

‘The skin is the largest organ of the human body and maintaining a good skin barrier keeps the “good stuff”, like moisture, in and the “bad stuff’, like allergens and irritants, out,’ explains Dr Keyla Lazardi, chief scientific officer for Elizabeth Arden. Small wonder, then, that Arden already does a roaring trade on its ceramide ranges (ceramides help to hold skin cells together). ‘A healthy barrier will create a watertight seal,’ says Dr Lazardi.

But barrier disruption can occur for a number of reasons, including over-using acids like retinols as well as environmental factors and age, and it can result in skin sensitivity, dehydration, lines and pigmentation. So Elizabeth Arden has created Advanced Light Ceramide Capsules (from €50, boots.ie). ‘This new ceramide [called Ceramide NP] can better mimic the skin’s natural ceramide composition to achieve faster results,’ says Dr Lazardi. ‘We focus on this because it makes up about 80 per cent of the ceramides in the skin and is essential in maintaining a healthy barrier.’ Texture-wise this feels lighter than the brand’s already popular Advanced Ceramide Capsules. The results are impressive and include stronger, firmer skin, refined pores and a reduction in the appearance of fine lines.

Kiehl’s, too, has come up with a more emphatic offering with the introduction of

Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream (€40, kiehls.ie) to add to its Ultra Facial Cream. Aimed at dry, distressed and compromised skin, it’s a balm-tocream formula but still quickabsorbing.

Tatcha is also focusing on the topic with its new Indigo Overnight Repair ( €92, spacenk.com). It’s a serum in moisturiser treatment that works to strengthen the skin’s barrier and balance the microbiome for healthy-looking skin.

Coats, meanwhile, is an excellent new brand from a collective of beauty executives, chemists and skin experts working in partnership with the Skin

Health Alliance. The focus is on maintaining a healthy skin barrier with its ‘skinsentials’ range based around a simple three-step routine: a gentle pH-balanced non-foaming Cleanser (€22.72), a hydrating Toning Milk (€25) and a triple-moisture Water Cream (€28.40, all amazon.ie) for extra hydration and protection. An SPF is in the works.

For some classic, dependable options,

I’d highly recommend

OO Cream from Cotswolds-based

Jane Scrivner (€34 janescrivner.com/eu) and

Curél Intensive Moisture

Facial Cream (€25 boots.ie) from the Japanese brand that’s great for sensitive skin.